RULES MADE SIMPLE

Referees have full control over matches and are supported and encouraged by touchies@GREEN to use their discretion when officiating. Any referee’s decision is final. You may have a different opinion on the referee’s call, but hey, he carries the whistle and you not! Any player who is unhappy with a referee’s performance and judgment is welcome to engage with us on the matter, where after we will consider giving you an opportunity to officiate a match yourself! We are always in search of proficient, deserving and self made referees.
Discipline is of the utmost importance from players and spectators alike. Referee’s will not be physically or verbally abused by anyone. Please remember we are here to play touch rugby and have some good clean fun.
Any player that swears and behaves in an unsportsmanlike manner may in the discretion of the referee receive a yellow or red card and be sin binned for three minutes for a yellow card or the remainder of the game for a red card, which means that his team will be playing for that period of time (yellow or red) with one less player. Any physical abuse of any player, spectator or the referee shall warrant a red card, which will see the offending player sin binned for the remainder of the match, with his team unable to substitute the offending player for a new player. Any offending player in the instance of a red card will also face an inquiry into his conduct and may face a suspension at the discretion of touchies@GREEN.
Referee’s will always give at least 1 final verbal warning before a penalty is awarded to the other team.
In the case of a penalty being awarded. The referee will give the mark and the attacking team may tap and play without passing. The defending team must retreat 10m on a penalty being awarded.
The game is 40 minutes in duration. There is a 2-minute break between the first and second halves.
The game always starts and re-starts from the half way line. The referee must signal for play to commence.
General play begins by a player passing the ball to a fellow team mate. A player may not tap and run when starting unless it is a penalty. Defending team must be 5 meters from the start of play, except in the instance of a penalty where 10 meters is required.
A Try is scored when the ball is grounded on or behind the try-line (downward pressure must be applied).
A touch is made with hands only, on any part of the body, ball or clothing. The defending player is required to claim a touch by raising his hand and shouting, “touch”! The referee will use his/her discretion. Excessive claiming of a non-touch may be be penalized.
Play to the whistle at all times.
When touched, the ball must be placed as close to the mark of the touch as possible. (Persisting to not place the ball on or near the mark will result in a penalty). The attacking side starts play at that mark or in line with it.
When the ball is passed forward or is dropped by the attacking team, play must start where the ball is picked up or stops rolling. The team that was attacking and lost the ball may not interfere with the lost or rolling ball.
The offside line for the defending team is 5 meters from where the touch was made. The referee will position himself as a marker for the defending team, retreating and standing 5 meters from the starting mark. In the case of a quick ball/pass is taken, the defending team/player who is offside must retreat a distance of 5 meters towards his own try line before being allowed to affect a valid claim.
A Defender within the 5 meter “offside” area, making an effort to retreat and not interfering with play, will not be penalized. The referee will use his discretion to make this decision.
Any obstruction, deliberate interference and pulling of shirts will be penalized.
There will only be 5 players on the pitch at any given time. Each team is allowed to have up to 5 reserves off the field of play. The team may only consist of up to 10 players and no more. Reserves can continuously substitute during a match but only when the ball is dead and it is their ball. All substitutions to take place from the side the referee officiating from. More than 5 players present on the pitch during active will result in a penalty.
An intentional knockdown (referee’s discretion) will result in a penalty. If this occurs repeatedly within 5 meters from the try line, a penalty try can be awarded by the referee (referee’s discretion).
There is a 5 meter rule for the attacking team when they are awarded the ball within 5 meters of the try line they are attacking. The ball must be taken back a minimum of 5meters from the try line being attacked, from where play must then start.
When the attacking team is awarded the ball 5meters from their opponent’s try line, the defending team should not retreat further than their own try line, but must make the line in order to be on side.
The defending team is allowed to defend up to their opponent’s try line, but may not cross over. The attacking team is allowed one entry behind their own try line. Once the attacking team exits the goal area, they are onside and may not retreat behind the try line again. When the attacking player retreats behind the goal line for the second time he may be touched by the defending team.
A fictitious touchline extends beyond the crossing with the try line. A try must hence be scored on this side of the touchline and on the other side of the try line. Referees to exercise their discretion.
The ball is considered “dead” when it touches the ground...no diving before the try line is allowed.